Demountable rivet structure



July 24, 195l R. s. coLLEY 2,562,018

DEMOUNTABLE RIVET STRUCTURE Filed OCL. l, 1946 .Patented July 24, 1951 ...Russen.S.,.oquey,j1rent, ohio, .assignor terrina LB. F. 'Goodrich Company, New `York,jN. Y ,1a

corporation fo"f N ew`York ApplicationOctober 1, 1946., Seriali-*1o.y '700;582

grufolaims. (c1. 'a5-40') .'.'Iihe.finvention relates "tozrivet `vstructures and ,'Demonstrati'on of.the.'.51.-unctioning 'of ,hollow` -sriyetsior engineering, sales and other display -ipurposes .has been accomplished .in Athe mast 'las -ibyfapplying-onefor .more speci-mens .of :production .eiyets to 'sample .parts fin the .presence of :prose apeoti-ve users, rorfby'ithe Luse kof exhibits of the .ariyets :already mounted `onrsmall .plates 'of trans- 'igparent material. .Neitherf-ofthese expediente has permitted -..-repetitive demonstrations mwith fthe samerivet.` I

A`Screw fastenerszandbolts, for example, '-.have been used @for holding parts temporarily together .-i'as ,for subsequent riveting Theseand other .,temporary .fastening -fdevices.-.have generally .required l.consicilerable time and .labor in applying .fandremoving .thefsame from the'partspand. fha-ve .tnot :always been fullywsatisfactory -to hold :the .,-piar-ts vin'alignnnent-or together.

...Objects of the invention .are .to -provide--for invercoming effectively the disadvantages -of `the Y:prior .temporary .fastening .expediente and -to provide .for"demonstratingeiectively the .functioning of the, rivet-especially .by repeated .use =of fthe same rivet.

other objects are to provide Tan improvedhol- .low .rivet structure ssuitable especially for tem- -;porary holding .purposes yand for demonstrating y...pur-poses; to -.prov-ide .for circumferentially and .-il'ocally expandingathe .wall of .the rivet; '-to pro- ...vide .space :for 'operating mechanism or other ,parts centrally of the-rivet.; 11o-'provide for eX- pandingthe :rivetby annular :expansible .mea-ns; 1=1toprovide :for expanding 4the rivet `and :subsequently restoi=ing:the.same tto substantially its :original conditionwto -provide :for repetitive 4eX- ?ftension and'contractionof the rWall of the rivet; `.fand :to provide for Y-sirnpli'oity yof construction, aconvenience .of rnanufacture,r .and -f'or eiectiveness-)of opera-tion. .f

frio

.tending^andeontnacting-the wall of the rrivet` ,2 .ln .the accompanying. drawings which form part .of .this ,specification and in which ilike'jiu.- merals .are employedto designatelike `Zpa'rt's .throughout rthe saine,.` 1

Fig. .1 -is a viewshovving a rivet structure'befoie being .expanded forjoining .parts of an Iassembly and. iconstructeduin, accordance` with and. embodying the invention, parte being. broken Vaway and infsection, Fig .2 .is .an .axiauyse' non@ View or Fig., ..1 mit .showing the rivet .in'fthe expanded condition, partsbeing fbrokenaw'ay., and

y=Iig.'3 isa. cross-sectional View .taken alongline ...In .the illustrative..empodiment .or the .inv-exi.- tion shown in the drawings, the rivet structure r.is provided 'a't one. end .with .a .seating portion lll .aluminum alloy.. 'The seatingportions .may. be

fof wood, plastic,aluminumv or .othersuitablestit .distortion-.resisting-rnaterial and is disposed at fa face l'3 of partspr work-.elements 14,15 toite joined as by .affaoe-.to-face, overlapping janitoritacting relation.. The Wall.. of the rivet lin'clud'es'a tubular .shank .[6 adapted .to .be 'expanded foutwardly .and annularly` adjacent the seatingjportion, which shank extends from `the seating Aportion ll) through apertures in '.theparts Vand .pro- .jects beyond the .otherace .|18 of 'thejjoinedjparts Thevtubular shank 'lffincludes a'n inner wall .portion I9, desirably-,cylndrical,.of suitable distortion-.resisting material, pr'eerably alluninilm alloy, secured [to thejseating portion 'Ijas 'byrublber cementor otherfastening Inean's. 'The'inner wall .portion |39 .extendsfrom theflangedendfto- Ward the closed .end aridisdisposed in telescopic, .relatively .movable`,.rela'tion"to an lannular wall portion 2li,` .desirably vof 'a'lurninum alloy, united with andextending iroxn'the end Wall l2 part Way toward 'the =Seating.portion T0. atth'eflanged end. The telescopic arrangement vfacilitatesob vtaining .the expanded .condition 'of the rivet with little or no .distortion of the 'inner lwallfportion lf3, as shown especial-ly in FigjQZ. .Such .arrangement also'acilitate's returning "thejparts of theehank .and .the -annular wallporltion to .their .original extended condition, ass'hOWn .especially .in Fig. .1, in which `latter. condition the-inner .Wall .portion .le terminates short. of theendwa'l112 .asu'i- .cient eX-tent to .permit .the .desired axial sliding `movement -.of saidparts. .and portion toward one another l.to lthe,expanc'led condition ...of -ltherivget The tubular. shank 1.6 hasan .outer wall tion 2l, preferably cylindrical, of flexible, distortable material such, for example, as resilient rubber or other rubber-like material stretchable circumferentially of the shank from the diameter shown in Fig. 1 to the greater diameter shown in Fig. 2, and reinforced, if desired, as by woven textile fabric material. The outer wall portion ZI is secured to the inner Wall portion I9 at the anged end, and is secured to the annular wall portion 20 at the opposite closed end of the rivet as by a suitable rubber cement I1 of the air-curing type. The outer wall portion is outwardly expansible relative to and in unattached relation to the inner wall portion I9 intermediate such attachments providing a space 26 between the wall portions for a pressure element 22, preferably a continuous annular inflatable tube of suitable rubber-like material having desirably a reinforcement 23 such, for example, as stretchable fabric in the wall thereof.

The annular inflatable tube 22 or pressure element havin-g a central opening therethrough inwardly of its outer periphery 25 is mounted adjacent the seating portion I with the outer periphery 25 disposed in unattached relation to and conformingly entirely about the inner peripheral surface 21 of the outer wall portion at the region of expansion of the latter for facilitating the local expansion of the rivet. The inflatable tube 22 may include a peripheral flange portion 28 extending along the inner wall portion I3 .toward the seating portion I0 and being sandwiched between and adhesively attached to the inner wall portion I9 and the outer wall portion 2| adjacent the flanged end of the rivet. A suitable Wrapping 28 such, for example, as adhesive tape may be wrapped one or more times about such wall portions I9, 2I and peripheral flange portion 28 of the tube for further assuring atight and secure union between the same.

For inflation purposes, a suitable connection '30 may extend through the inner wall portion I9 and the wall of the tube 22 in communication with the tube and with a source of pressurefluid (not shown) such, for example, as compressed air as by a suitable conduit 3 I, which conduit may extend through the seating portion I0. Both ends of the rivet may be of relatively closed construction, hence it is desirable that one or more end venting apertures 32, 32 and 33, 33 in the seating portion and end wall, respectively, and one or more'venting apertures 34, 34 in the inner wall portion I9 of the shank be provided for exhausting and admitting atmospheric air upon expansion and extension of the rivet under Vthe inflation and deflation of the annular inflat- `posedwithin the shank between the flanged end land the opposite closed end of the rivet for assuring extending the shank IE and the annular Wall portion 2D telescopically to return their parts to their original condition upon deflation of the tube. For the arrangement shown in the drawings, the means 35 may have shaft 36 having desirably an enlarged end portion 31 secured to the end wall I2 as by screw fasteners 38, 38, which shaft 36 extends centrally and axially of the 'shank I B through and beyond the seating portion IU in sliding relation to the latter. A Qom- .4 pression spring 39 is disposed about the shaft 35 between the seating portion I0 and the enlarged end portion 31 for urging the shank and the annular wall portion 20 to their extended relation one to another for the original condition of the rivet under deflation of the inflatable tube. For some applications of the inventionl such, for example, as when the rivet is mounted' vertically, as shown in the drawings, the means 35, if desired, may be omitted, and the parts of the shank and the annular wall portion permitted to resume their original extended relationship under the action of gravity together with the tendency of the outer wall portion 22 to return to its original condition by virtue of the resiliency of the rubber-like material of the latter portion.

In the operation of the rivet when in assembled relation to the parts to be joined and in its non-expanded and original condition, as shown especially in Fig. 1, pressure-fluid is admitted to the annular inflatable tube 22 through the conduit 3I and connection 30, thereby distending the tube to substantially the otuwardly budged shape extending entirely about the tubular shank I6, as shown especially in Fig. 2. The distention of the tube causes little or no distortion of the metal inner wall portion I9 of the shank, but distorts and stretches the outer wall portion 2I to an outwardly bulged, annular shape adjacent the seating portion I0 and immediately at the face I8 of the parts I4, I5 providing an elastic clamping action on the parts I4, I5 between the flange II and the outward bulge of the outer wall portion 2 I. The bulging of the Wall portion 2l induces telescopic movement of the inner wall portion I9 and the annular wall portion 20 toward one another to the contracted condition of the rivet, as shown in Fig. 2. The air within the rivet is exhausted to the atmosphere through the respective venting apertures. At the same time the spring 39 is compressed under the coincidental, axial movement of the shaft'36 and the end wall I2 toward the seating portion I0. In this manner, the rivet is placed and maintained in its expanded condition for holding the parts I4, I5 temporarily together by the elastic clamping vaction between seating portion and the outwardly bulged outer wall portion of the rivet.

When the inflated tube is deflated, it resumes its original attened condition, as shown especially in Figs. 1 and 3, terminating the distortion of the outer wall portion to the bulged annular shape, thereby terminating the aforesaid clamping action temporarily holding the parts I4, I5 together. While the outer Wall portion tends to return to its original condition by virtue of the resiliency of its material, such return may be assisted by the action of the compression spring which also tends to return to its original noncompressed condition upon deflation of the tube. This spring action causes the shaft 36 and end wall I2 to move axially away from the seating portion I0 thereby urging the inner wall portion I9 and annular wall portion 20 to move telescopically apart to their relatively extended and original position, as shown especially in Fig. 1. During such telescopic movement of the parts of the rivet, air re-enters the latter through the respective venting apertures facilitating such return action. Thus, the rivet is restored to its original condition for further use and expansion, repetitively or otherwise, as desired.

Variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as it is defined in the following claims.

wardly bulged form for engaging the other face of the apertured wall under inflation -of vthe tuba-and means in communication with said tube for conducting pressure-fluid thereto for inating the tube to distort said outer wall portion.

6. A tubular rivet structure adapted to be disposed in an apertured wall and upset therein in temporary engagement therewith, said rivet structure comprising a body for positioning in the aperture of the wall and having a flanged end for seating against a face of the wall and vhaving a bore therein extending from said end and terminating in a closed end spaced-apart vfrom said anged end, said body comprising an annular wall portion extending from said closed end part way toward said flanged end, the wall of said body having a tubular shank comprising an inner wall portion of distortion-resisting material extending from' said flanged end toward said closed end and disposed in telescopic relatively movable relation to said annular wall portion, and said shank comprising an outer wall .portion of resilient rubber-like material attached to said inner wall portion at said flanged end and to said annular Wall portion at said closed end and unattached thereto intermediate the positions of attachment providing a space between such wall portions and said outer wall portion, a closed annular inatable tube disposed in said space between said inner wall portion and said outer wall portion adjacent said hanged end for expanding locally said outer wall portion to an annular outwardly bulged form to seat against the other face of the apertured wall under inflation of said tube, and means in said bore in communication with said tubefor conducting pressure-fluid thereto to innate said tube to expand said outer wall and to move said wall portions with relation one to another.

'7. A tubular rivet structure adapted to be disposed in aligned apertures of work-elements in overlapping contacting relation and upset therein to temporarily hold said work-elements together, said rivet structure comprising a body for positioning through the apertures and having a anged end for seating against a face of a workelement and having a bore therein extending from said end and terminating in'a closed end spaced-apart from said flanged end, said body comprising an annular wall portion extending from said closed end part way toward said flanged end, the wall of said body having a tubular shank comprising an inner wall portion of distortionresisting material extending from said anged end toward said closed end and disposed in telescopic relatively movable relation to said annular Wall portion, and said shank comprising an outer wall portion of resilient rubber-like material secured to said inner wall portion at said flanged end and to said annular wall portion at said closed end, a closed annular inflatable tube between the inner and outer wall portions and secured to said inner wall portion in backing relation to said outer wall portion adjacent said flanged end for expanding locally said outer wall portion to an annular outwardly bulged form to seat against the opposite face of the other workelement under inflation of said tube, conduit means carried by said body in communication with said tube for conducting pressure-fluid thereto for inilating said tube to expand said outer wall portion and to move said wall portions with relation one to another, and means includ- -ing a shaft element disposed axially in said bore and secured to said body at said closed end thereof for extendingv said shank and said annular wall portion at said closed end telescopicallyto return their parts to their original condition upon deation of said tube.

8. Apparatus for closing an aperture through a wall, said apparatus comprising a tubular body mounted on the wall and having a headed end seating against a face of the wall and a tubular shank of distortion-resisting material extending from said end through the aperture and beyond the outer face of the wall and a continuous annular outer wall of elastic material surrounding said shank and secured thereto at axially spacedapart positions thereon with a space between the shank and outer wall intermediate said positions, a venting aperture in said shank in communication with the atmosphere and said space between said shank and outer wall, and a closed annular iniiatable tube .disposed in said space between said shank and outer wall adjacent said headed end for contracting said shank axially and at the same time expanding locally said outer wall to an vannular outwardly bulged form seating against said other face of the wall4 under ination of the tube, and conduit means supported by said body in communication with said tube for conducting pressure-fluid thereto to inate said tube and expand said outer wall.

9. A tubular rivet structure adapted to be disposed in an apertured wall and subject to repetitive expansion and contraction to engage and disengage the wall, said rivet structure comprising a hollow body for positioning through. the aperture of the wall and having closed ends with venting apertures therein and an outwardly-extending iiange at one of said ends for seating against a face of the wall, said body having an annular wall portion extending from the other closed end part way toward the flanged end and positionable at the other face of the wall, the wall of said body having a tubular shank com.- prising an inner wall portion of distortion-resisting materialA extending from said flange toward said other closed end and disposed in telescopic relatively movable relation to said annular-wall portion, said shank comprising an outer wall portion of resilient rubber-like material secured to said inner wall portion at said flanged end and to said annular wall portion at said other closed end providing a closed annular space between the inner and outer wall portions, said inner wall portion being in communication with said space for venting the same into the bore of said shank to facilitate the relative movement of said wall portions, an annular inatable tube disposed in said space between said innerrand outer wall portions adjacent said flanged end for expanding locally said outer wall portion to an annular outwardly bulged form for detachably seating against said other face of the Wall under inflation of said tube, and means in said bore and supported by said body and including a conduit in communication with said tube for conducting pressure-fluid to said tube to inate and deilate repetitively said tube to expand and contract said outer wall portion and to move said Wall portions with relation one to another.

l0. A tubular rivet structure adapted to be disposed in an apertured work-element and upset therein in removable engagement therewith, said rivet structure comprising a body having a head end for seating against a face of the work and a tubular shank extending from said head end for disposition through the aperture and beyond 9 the other face of the work, said tubular vshank comprising an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion extending in telescopic disposition the region of said other end, said inner wall portion being of material resistant to radial distortion, said outer wall portion having an elastic annular Wall portion spaced fromsaid other end of the body and stretchable circumferentially of said shank, an inflatable annular pressure element between said inner and outer Wall portions secured to one of the wall portions and backing said elastic annular Wall portion and backed by said inner wall portion, whereby said outer wall portion isstretched locally at said elastic annular wall portion to an outwardly bulged form for engaging the other face of the work and by Virtue of such stretching, relative axial sliding movement of said inner and outer wall portions at the region of said other end of said body is 10 eiected to contract said shank axially when said pressure element is inated, and means for inlating said pressure element.

RUSSELL S. COLLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Nanne Date 658,588 Reynolds Sept. 25, 1900 1,710,439 Taylor Apr. 23, 1929 1,945,825 Saxe Feb. 6, 1934 2,178,494 Richardson Oct. 31, 1939 2,213,818 Krause Sept. 3, 1940 2,232,199 Bald Feb. 18, 1941 2,287,207 Vedovell June 23, 1942 2,324,520 Lamson July 20, 1943 2,341,502 Ingres Feb. 8, 1944 2,353,248 Lamb July 11, 1944 2,370,776 Carlson Mar. 6, 1945 Hunter Oct. 15, 1946 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,562,018 July 24, 1951 RUSSELL S. COLLEY It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specication of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 21, for portions read portion; column 4, line 23, for otuwardly read outwardly; column 5, line 54, after element insert of elastic; column 6, line 31, for detactble read detachable; column 8, line 12, for outer read other; line 31, for subject read subjected and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oce.

Signed and sealed this 4th day of March, A. D. 1952.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gommzssz'oner of Patents. 

